...Export of Coconut Products Up in March: UCAP Estimate

In a related development, UCAP preliminary data show export of coconut products in March totaled 188,265 MT in copra terms, significantly higher by 29.1% compared to March last year at 145,823 MT but slipped a bit from last month unofficial total at 188,717 MT.  
All products but oleochemicals posted double-digit growths from year-earlier levels; oleochemicals fell slightly.  
Export of coconut oil was 97,273 MT, appreciably exceeding previous year at 72,243 MT by 34.8%. Europe was top destination, absorbing nearly two-thirds (61.5%) or 59,865 MT of total shipment during the month.  The United States accounted for nearly a quarter (22.6%) or 22,000 MT while Indonesia took in 15,000 MT (15.4%).  Limited volume went to Japan at 408 MT (0.4%).
External trade of copra meal at 30,000 MT was a marked increase by 40.8% from prior year at 21,309 MT.  Vietnam was primary market responsible for one-third (33.0%) of total purchases at 9,900 MT, trailed by China at 7,400 MT (24.7%).  India and Korea almost evenly split the remainder with the former accounting for 21.3% or 6,400 MT and Korea 21.0% or 6,300 MT.
Desiccated coconut overseas orders amounting to 15,356 MT hiked 15.8% from preceding year total at 13,266 MT.  By contrast, oleochemicals contracted 6.3% to 10,122 MT as copra from 10,800 MT previously.  
Total export for the first quarter of this year accumulated to 557,369 MT in copra terms based on UCAP estimates.  This is a 48.2% upsurge from 376,068 MT at the same time year-ago.  All commodities but oleochemicals showed profound growth in volume traded as shown in the following breakdown, in MT: coconut oil 291,477 (178,149), copra meal 121,887 (66,881), desiccated coconut 43,020 (35,766), oleochemicals as copra 28,195 (37,995).